But Hosmer doubles...

Butler Ks for the 2nd out...

Groundout...
..............WE WIN!!!

Not a bad (long) first half of the season!

Almost forgot to post this:

.........................................SWEEP!!!

Hard to say anyone would have predicted 51-44 at the all star break. We'll take it though.

Everyone will differ on this, but to me the biggest difference on the team is:

1. The presence of veteran guys like Bourn, Swisher and Reynolds.
2. Breakout of Kipnis (duh, on this one)
3. Francona and new staff (Callaway?)

Don't forget Giambi.

anybody else watching or listening to the game?

Sure, I heard the whole thing on the radio, but was doing other stuff at the time too. Great thing about the radio ... don't need to use my eyes!

I watched most of it as well.

Somehow I had the feeling, every time they got behind, that they would score again.

When you are on a roll, it's fun.

TFIR wrote:Hard to say anyone would have predicted 51-44 at the all star break. We'll take it though.

Everyone will differ on this, but to me the biggest difference on the team is:

1. The presence of veteran guys like Bourn, Swisher and Reynolds.
2. Breakout of Kipnis (duh, on this one)
3. Francona and new staff (Callaway?)

How about team SPEED? Most guys go from 1st to 3rd every time. And can score from 2nd on a base hit.

Darkstar wrote:

J.R. wrote:I know DARKSTAR, SEAGULL, BARON and PAT GRAHAM have all been here at various times during the game. Wish some of you would post instead of just lurking.

I have been in and out JR, but following the game online only on ESPN. Fox Sports _ichigan won't show the Indians!

My internet connection was shitty last night and I couldn't get streaming audio so I went to bed, would wake up and pop in to see what was happening. I'll make my presense known next time.

TFIR wrote:Hard to say anyone would have predicted 51-44 at the all star break. We'll take it though.

Everyone will differ on this, but to me the biggest difference on the team is:

1. The presence of veteran guys like Bourn, Swisher and Reynolds.
2. Breakout of Kipnis (duh, on this one)
3. Francona and new staff (Callaway?)

I don't think anyone would have predicted anything above .500 let alone only 1.5 games back from 1st.

Very nice to not limp into the ASB and hopefully can come out swinging....literally.

Veterans, Kipnis, Francona, speed. And add depth: Gomes, Aviles and Raburn have really meant a lot. And one more: surprising development of rotation and league enabling league-leading 12 shutouts.

Overall the improvement is based on putting together a much deeper, balanced roster. 2012 roster was slap-dash collection of cheap options. 2013 roster was built with some logic behind it and is deep enough that if some players slump there are others nearly as talented to step in.

Overall the improvement is based on putting together a much deeper, balanced roster. 2012 roster was slap-dash collection of cheap options. 2013 roster was built with some logic behind it and is deep enough that if some players slump there are others nearly as talented to step in

I agree, Civ. The other difference is they are finally making moves based on performance. If you don't perform, you get sent down or you ride the pine for a while. No more waiting for stiffs like LaPorta or Marte to figure it out.